Mike Pence: ‘We stand with’ persecuted Christians

Vice President Mike Pence pictured at an event celebrating National Military Appreciation Month and National Military Spouse Appreciation Day in Washington, DC on Tuesday. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Vice President Michael Pence told Christian leaders “we’re with you, we stand with you,” at a summit to address the plight of persecuted Christians on Thursday.

Pence addressed delegates at the inaugural World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians, hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Washington, D.C.

“On behalf of the President of the United States, I say from my heart, we’re with you, we stand with you,” he said, according to the Catholic News Agency.

The summit was attended by clerics of Protestant, Orthodox, and Roman Catholic churches, current and former members of Congress, and representatives of Open Doors USA, Samaritan’s Purse, and the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative.

In a blog published later the same day on whitehouse.org, Pence wrote: “The faith of those gathered at the World Summit inspired and humbled me. The reality is, across the wider world, the Christian faith is under siege.

“Our administration is fully committed in bringing relief and comfort to believers not only across the Middle East but across the world,” he added.

However, after more than 100 days of the administration, some Christian advocates are looking for more commitment from the White House. President Trump has yet to appoint an ambassador for international religious freedom.

Frank Wolf, a former congressman who now works for Wilberforce, told the Washington Post: “We’re urging that this be a priority.

“Put somebody in who cares deeply, who also has the gravitas to be able to pick up the phone and call the secretary of state,” Wolf said.